John George Valence passed away peacefully on September 29, 2013 at his home in Deerfield Beach, Florida at the age of 90 with his wife Anneke and family by his side. John was born in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania on July 16, 1923.

John served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. He was attached to the 5307th Provisional Unit. After serving in the army, he later moved to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and started his own businesses that included a travel agency and newspaper. He eventually moved to the Pocono Mountains and started his photography business, U.S. Color Graphics, producing brochures and post cards for resorts and local businesses. He won many awards for his photographic work.

During his time in the Pocono’s he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking, gathering together to spend time with family and friends and most of all listening to the songs recorded and sung by his wife Anneke. In the 1980’s John left Pennsylvania to move to Boca Raton, Florida with his family.

In Florida, John became involved in advertising display systems and formed his own company. He also continued to promote his photography business that was his greatest passion. His family recalls his love for photography imprinted upon their hearts as they assisted him on his photographic “shoots”, modeling in brochures, and posing for many family photos. He had a natural sense for seeing the beauty and bringing out the best in what he was photographing. As many of his friends said, “he was a natural”. John will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

John was the brother of the late Walter (Jane) Valence and Helen (Tony) Canike. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Anneke (Soetaert) Valence; his children Heather (Scott) Mousley, John (Lorraine) Valence Jr, Jonathan (Katelyn) Valence, Kimberly (late Charles) Morris, Jacquie (Rick) Brunssen, Katha Valence, Lisa Valence, Thais Bradford and his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, niece, and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, October 2 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 3 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton. Burial with Military Honors will be held at 1:15 pm on Thursday at the South Florida National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the funeral home in the form of floral displays.